The use of microbial processes as a means for enzymatic plastic degradation has been seen to hold significant promise, and remains a significant opportunity area for research and innovation. Microbial catalysts facilitate the breakdown of recalcitrant plastic polymers into potentially manageable and recyclable degradation products. Microbial degradation technologies represent a promising avenue in offering eco-friendly and potentially economically viable solutions for plastic waste reduction, thus alleviating the associated waste disposal problems.
Research on microbial plastic degradation stimulates scientific and technological innovation. This exploration fosters the development of cutting-edge processes and products rooted in biotechnology, thus aligning with the principles of circular economy. Furthermore, these scientific questions may yield sustainable materials, enriched with value, derived from the recycling or upcycling of plastic waste.
However, there is a need for more fundamental, applied, and innovative studies in the field of microbial technologies for plastic degradation. Fundamental studies aiming at understanding the mechanistic details of depolymerization for recalcitrant plastics, as well as applied research evaluating the potential for scale-up options for well-understood bioprocesses, are urgently required.
To progress toward future-proof and sustainable waste management strategies, anchored in microbial interventions, this Research Topic is dedicated to the advancement of innovative microbial technologies. This encompasses microbial plastic degradation, bioengineering, bio-processing techniques, depolymerization mechanisms, and ultimately the valorization of the degradation products of plastics.
Especially welcome are the manuscript contributions focusing on, but not limited to:
- Innovative microbial biotechnologies in developments in recycling the polymers and valorization of the degradation products.
- Microbial bioengineering for more sustainable recycling of polymers. This includes novel microbial technologies, for processing of plastic waste, including novel microbes, microbial consortia and enzymes, related to industrial-scale applications.
- Multidisciplinary and cross-functional studies, in which microbial biotechnology is complemented by chemical/physical approaches, such as catalysis or separations.
- Studies which include scale-up techno-economic analyses and life cycle assessment.
Both original research articles, perspectives and reviews are welcome.
Keywords:
Plastics, Biotechnology, Depolymerization, Degradation, Upcycling, Valorization
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The use of microbial processes as a means for enzymatic plastic degradation has been seen to hold significant promise, and remains a significant opportunity area for research and innovation. Microbial catalysts facilitate the breakdown of recalcitrant plastic polymers into potentially manageable and recyclable degradation products. Microbial degradation technologies represent a promising avenue in offering eco-friendly and potentially economically viable solutions for plastic waste reduction, thus alleviating the associated waste disposal problems.
Research on microbial plastic degradation stimulates scientific and technological innovation. This exploration fosters the development of cutting-edge processes and products rooted in biotechnology, thus aligning with the principles of circular economy. Furthermore, these scientific questions may yield sustainable materials, enriched with value, derived from the recycling or upcycling of plastic waste.
However, there is a need for more fundamental, applied, and innovative studies in the field of microbial technologies for plastic degradation. Fundamental studies aiming at understanding the mechanistic details of depolymerization for recalcitrant plastics, as well as applied research evaluating the potential for scale-up options for well-understood bioprocesses, are urgently required.
To progress toward future-proof and sustainable waste management strategies, anchored in microbial interventions, this Research Topic is dedicated to the advancement of innovative microbial technologies. This encompasses microbial plastic degradation, bioengineering, bio-processing techniques, depolymerization mechanisms, and ultimately the valorization of the degradation products of plastics.
Especially welcome are the manuscript contributions focusing on, but not limited to:
- Innovative microbial biotechnologies in developments in recycling the polymers and valorization of the degradation products.
- Microbial bioengineering for more sustainable recycling of polymers. This includes novel microbial technologies, for processing of plastic waste, including novel microbes, microbial consortia and enzymes, related to industrial-scale applications.
- Multidisciplinary and cross-functional studies, in which microbial biotechnology is complemented by chemical/physical approaches, such as catalysis or separations.
- Studies which include scale-up techno-economic analyses and life cycle assessment.
Both original research articles, perspectives and reviews are welcome.
Keywords:
Plastics, Biotechnology, Depolymerization, Degradation, Upcycling, Valorization
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.